Overview
This four day, three night trail ride starts and ends at Freerein HQ on the Welsh/English Border in the Wye Valley. This is an incredible journey covering 70 miles, exploring the heart of Mid-Wales along unmarked tracks and trails through wild, remote hills and valleys, staying overnight at two country inns and a family run B&B along the way. The route is steeped in mystery and historic tales, dating back to the 1stCentury.
The Riding
The route on this trail is very varied, with stony tracks, open hills, river crossings, green lanes, and so on. The trails are a mixture of little used bridleways, old council roads and timeworn drovers routes. The mixture of terrain means a varied riding pace each day – there will be lots of trotting to cover the distance and canters wherever the terrain allows. There will be points where it is necessary to dismount and walk with your horse, such as steep down hill tracks which may be loose underfoot.
Level of Riding & Fitness
You must be happy and confident cantering in open spaces to join this ride.
You will be riding between 6-7 hours each day, so riders must have a good level of current riding fitness. You must be physically fit enough to enjoy long trots and long days in the saddle on this riding holiday.
Guides & Group Sizes
All Freerein guides are full time, paid adults who all have an extensive knowledge of our horses, routes and the hills. They are relaxed, friendly & professional.
Strict maximum of 8 guests per trail.
The Horses
You will be matched to one of our incredible herd of fit, friendly, forward going trail riding horses and ponies. They are all a mixture of hardy breeds native to the UK. They live out all year round, working for 7 months of the year and enjoying a 5 month break over the winter months. They love their job and relish their happy, healthy lifestyle.
Tack & Riding Equipment
Each horse has its own individually fitted English tack, customised and fitted professionally for Freerein. All horses are ridden in simple snaffle bits.
Your luggage is transported by us, by road. Each rider will be supplied with one of our specially designed saddle bags to carry lunch, drinks, cameras etc whilst out on trail.
Accommodation & Meals
All individuals are automatically booked a room for single occupancy. Accommodation is at B&Bs and Inns along the route. They are all basic, quirky, characterful, family run establishments that offer a warm welcome to trail riders.
Expect to be fed well on this trip; food is all homemade using locally sourced ingredients where possible. All accommodation places can cater for any dietary requirements.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrive at Freerein HQ for 8:30am. Meet your guide, your fellow riders and pack your saddle bags. Meet your horse and prepare them for a day out on trail.
Out on trail all day. Explore the open tracks of the Begwns, passing the ‘Roundabout’ an unusual landmark built in the 19th Century to honor Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. After lunch, drop down off the Begwns and cross over Rhulen hill and Aberedw hill to arrive at the horse’s accommodation for the night. Feed and untack before a short taxi ride into the agricultural town of Builth Wells, where you will spend the night at a local B&B. Dinner will be at one of the restaurants or inns in town.
Total length - 16 miles
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Day 2
Enjoy your first welsh breakfast of the trip before being picked up and taken to the horses. Feed, groom and tack up your horse. Out on trail all day. Sweep back across Aberedw Hill before dropping down into the hamlet of Hundred House. Today, Hundred House is a small hamlet but it was once regarded as a strategic location and was built by both Romans and Normans in the first century AD. From here, climb up onto Gwaunceste Hill and enjoy some fabulous panoramic views.
Pass the remains of Black Yatt, an old farmhouse built in the 18th Century which was blown up 1960s to feature in a film about the second world war. Wind down through the country lanes to Old Radnor, where day two will end. Untack and feed the horses before heading to a local Inn for the night. Horses are a 5 minute walk down the road.
Total length: 16 miles -
Day 3
Catch, feed and prepare your horse. Start the steep climb onto the spectacular Hergest Ridge. Pass the ‘Whet Stone’ a traditional gathering point where, in this case, would have been used for betting and bargaining. Drop down through the Parish of Gladestry and follow the quiet country lanes to join part of the Offa’s Dyke path across Disgwylfa Hill, before passing through the village of Newchurch. Enjoy the views atop Newchurch Hill and Bryngwyn hill as you head down to the horse’s accommodation for the night. Your horses are a ten minute work by road to a local Inn in the village of Painscastle - the location of the biggest and most brutal battle in all of Welsh History, The Battle of Painscastle in 1198.
Total length: 16 miles -
Day 4
After breakfast, walk to the horses. Catch, feed and prepare your horse. Head straight up onto the rugged moorland of Llanbedr Hill, taking in the spectacular views of the Black Mountains. Spot Pen-y-fan, the highest peak in South Wales. Travel the length of Landeilo hill where you'll pass the mysterious grave of Twm Tobacco. Look down into the hamlet of Aberedw, where the last Prince of Wales - Prince Llewelyn - once took refuge in a cave hiding from the English in the early 13th century. After lunch its time for some exhilarating canters on the Begwns before a relaxing stroll down the country lanes back to Freerein HQ for around 4pm. Enjoy tea and homemade cake with your new friends before departing.
Total length: 15 miles
Get a free The Welsh Prince mini-brochure in PDF format.
Gallery
I loved every minute and recommend this trail to anyone who loves riding.
The Welsh Prince
£1429pp all inclusive
[Single Occupancy £42 per person per night]
Price includes:
- Four full days trail riding
- Three nights accommodation on trail
- All Breakfasts
- All Packed Lunches
- All Evening Meals
- Arrangements for duration of holiday
- Trail riding horse, tack & saddlebags
- Backup as required
- Services of guide
- Luggage delivery
Price excludes:
- All drinks at any bar
- Tips
Hire Your Own Guide
This trail is available as a bespoke product where you hire your own guide just for you and those you book with. The cost for hiring your own guide is £263 per day per group + trail cost pp.